Financial Aid, Scholarships & Fundraising

Any students wishing to use financial aid towards a study-abroad program are advised to discuss their options with an advisor in the SMCM Office of Student Financial Assistance.

FAFSA
FAFSA aid can be applied to SMCM study abroad programs. Please contact the SMCM Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information about this application.

Learn more about FAFSA

SMCM Semester or Academic-Year Programs
All federal and state financial aid may be used towards a study abroad program. Additionally, students may use most scholarships and/or grants that they are currently receiving.

Non-SMCM Semester or Academic-Year Programs
Only federal financial aid may be used towards a Non-SMCM study abroad program. Students wishing to use their federal financial aid towards an approved Non-SMCM program must complete and submit a Consortium Agreement to the Office of International Education prior to departure.

Short-Term Summer, Winter or Spring Break Programs
In general, financial aid is not available for short-term programs. Some OIE need-based study abroad grants may be applicable. However, students are encouraged to speak with a representative from the SMCM Office of Student Financial Assistance to see what options may be available.

As of Fall 2023, the College has made available up to $100,000 per year for the next 5 years to meet demonstrated financial need in support of study abroad opportunities. The best news is, students don’t have to do anything to apply for this funding! It will be incorporated in the regular financial aid process, and eligible students can be awarded  between $150 and $5,250 in support of their study abroad experience, based on program cost and financial need as determined through the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Scholarships are available to SMCM students for study abroad! SMCM and the Office of International Education offer several scholarships to students participating on SMCM programs. Institutional scholarships and/or grants, not specified for study abroad, may only be transferred to SMCM study abroad programs, and would not apply to Non-SMCM study-abroad programs. All student applicants are automatically reviewed for additional scholarship and grants when they submit their applications by the early consideration deadlines. The following deadlines to apply are:

Study Tour Scholarships: Study Tour Deadlines (Vary by Program)

Fall SMCM Programs: March 1st

Spring SMCM Programs: October 1st

A variety of SMCM scholarships are available, including need-based, merit-based, study in Asia, study of a foreign language, and study in a Spanish-speaking country. All scholarships have the following minimum requirements:

Started an SMCM study abroad approval application in Via TRM
2.5 GPA or higher (2.0 for most Study Tours)
Clean judicial record
Complete the study abroad application by the early deadline. You will automatically be reviewed for funding eligibility.
To apply, simply apply to your program of choice in full by the above stated early deadline in your Via TRM account.

Remember to check our estimated  program fees for each program. 

Want to compare costs and budget? Feel free to make a copy of this Study Abroad Program Cost Comparison Worksheet.

Many regional and national study-abroad scholarships have early deadlines, so it is important to look into these as soon as possible. The individual deadlines will vary and are listed on the websites below. Recipients of these various awards will be able to use the funding to assist them in paying for their study abroad experience. Non-SMCM program applicants are also encouraged to check with their program provider as many of those organizations offer in-house scholarships as well. For advising and assistance on Fulbright, CLS, and Boren, please check in with the Office of International Education, and be aware that there is often an earlier on-campus deadline for submitting applications